Huskers Move Past Spartans, Heal Up for PSU

Lincoln, Neb.- The Nebraska football team continued its week of preparation for Saturday’s Big Ten Conference match-up with Penn State on Tuesday afternoon. The team practiced in full pads for just over two hours inside the Hawks Center and outside at the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Fields.

Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck addressed the media after practice, focusing on Nebraska’s ability to move past last week’s loss to Michigan State

“One game doesn’t make a season,” Beck said. “One game shouldn’t define who you are as a player, a unit or a football team. There’s a lot more that goes into this program than what the last game was all about. It is what it is. It’s over, and there’s nothing you can do about it. You can’t get one play back. You just have to move on because it’s going to be a tough game this week. There’s no question about it.”

On Saturday, Nebraska heads into a hostile setting at Happy Valley for the second time in three years. The Huskers won a 17-14 contest at Penn State in 2011 behind a steady rushing attack facing a stout defense. According to Beck, the Nittany Lions’ defense hasn’t changed much and presents a tough challenge for Nebraska’s offense again this season.

“They’re a good defense,” Beck said. “They’re well-coached and they have a really good defensive line. They have smart guys who are good tacklers in the open field. Rarely are they out of position. They don’t make a lot of mistakes. You have to beat them. You have to execute, and, obviously, we can’t turn the ball over. We saw what that got us.”

Coming off a loss that saw the Huskers commit five turnovers, Beck says the squad has shown a new determination to protect the ball this week. However, there’s only so much physical work that can be done. The rest is mental focus.

“Believe me, if there were one thing you could do to make sure you would hold onto the football, we would have done it three years ago,” Beck said. “We just keep preaching it, coaching it, practicing it and putting emphasis on it as much as we can.”

Another key to the Huskers’ success this week will be their ability to recuperate, especially on the offensive line. Beck says he’s pleased with his offense’s ability to fight through all of the injuries that have plagued them this season and compete the way they have.

“We’re healing,” Beck said. “Guys just have to get ready. Obviously, we have guys who are beat up a little bit. Everybody does at this time of the year. They’ll gut it out and be ready. Whatever they can do is what they’re giving us, and I’m proud of them for it.”

Nebraska will hit the practice field again on Wednesday as the team moves closer to its final road conference game of the season. The Huskers will face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast regionally on BTN. Check back here at Huskers.com for updates.